Mill Mountain After Dark

I think I've found another way to enjoy Mill Mountain. Ride in the dark. Last week I went and rode at 8:30pm. This week I started out from the parking garage at work at 7:45pm. This allowed me to cruise through Crystal Spring in the light. Once I got to Fern Park, I stopped to turn on my iPod. Managed to ride the trail from Fern Park fairly easily. Got to Yellow Mtn Road and crossed over to take the cut through to JP Fish. The other option is walking up the Chestnut Ridge Loop. Would be awesome if we could legally ride this trail, but the NPS is still debating. How a bike does more damage to a trail than horses, I've yet to understand; but anyway.

Once I crossed JP Fish, I stopped at the Woodthrush trailhead to add my lights. Turned on the blinky on the back then plugged in my helmet's light. Didn't turn it on yet. Had fun on Woodthrush, took a "rogue trail" up to JP Fish so I could avoid that bottom section of the Star Trail. The "rogue trail" takes you straight up to the road where you have to lift your bike over the guardrail. I had tried to turn my light on while riding and something was wrong with it, so I paused at the roadside to reset it. Voila, light!!!

Down JPFish to Sylvan and up Monument. I did a lot better on Monument than I did last week. I was able to ride to the intersection of Star without stopping. I only used the Granny for a short period of time. Paused for a swig of G2 then headed on. Got a little goofy on the rock section and had to clip out. Boo! Headed up a bit more and encountered a tree down completely blocking the trail. Eased my way around it on foot then continued to walk up the trail since I was in a steeper section. Got back on the bike and headed for the downhill section. Got beat up by the weeds on both sides of the trail. Really enjoyed a laid back cruise down the trail. Stopped at the Monument to debate my next move.

Went up Ridgeline - didn't make the switchback - wrong gear. Also it was odd because the wind really picked up when I got on Ridgeline. I looked up to see if there were dark clouds - nope. Got to the Discovery Center without being accosted too much by the trailside greenery. Turned around and went back down Ridgeline. Got to Riser where I rode very cautiously. Quickly was on Big Sunny and on my way. Of course, the wind was just a preview for the rain sprinkles that found me and kept me company until I went to go down Crystal Spring Trail. I got a little creeped out as I rode out towards that trail and decided to turn around and head back to the car.
Took Ivy Lane to Camilla to Laurel then Belleview and soon I was done.

9.8 miles, 1:18:40. Time to rest now.

Not sure if I'll ride Sunday or not. I'm on call and it is Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day!!!!